2005 was another competitive season for the Canadian Football League, as 6 of the 9 teams finished with records between 9-9 and 12-6. The BC Lions (12-6) would win the Western Division by one game over the Calgary Stampeders (11-7) and the Edomonton Eskimos (11-7).  In the Eastern Division, the Toronto Argonauts (11-7) would take the Division title by one game over the Montreal Alouettes (10-8). In the first round of the playoffs, Montreal would have no trouble with Saskatchewan 30-14, while Edmonton would upset Calgary 33-26. In the Divisional Finals, the Alouettes would take care of the Argonauts 33-17, while the Eskimos would continue their Cinderella story with a 28-23 victory over the BC Lions, setting up the match-up for the 93rd Grey Cup. The 93rd Grey Cup game was held on November 27, 2005, at B.C. Place Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia between the Edmonton Eskimos and the Montreal Alouettes. The Eskimos would go on to win an overtime thriller 38-35. It was the first time in 44 years that a Grey Cup had gone into overtime. The game got off to a slow start, with Edmonton holding a 10-1 lead going into half-time, thanks to a Sean Fleming field goal and a Ricky Ray touchdown pass to Ed Hervey. A rouge by Montreal kicker Damon Duval accounted for the Alouettes' point. The second half was a back-and-forth affair. The Alouettes came on strong in the third quarter, scoring on a pair of goal-line plunges by backup running back Éric Lapointe, with the Eskimos notching a Fleming field goal in reply. After an Edmonton turnover, the Alouettes ended up with a Duval field goal, an 18-13 lead. On the ensuing kickoff Edmonton returner Tony Tompkins scored a 96-yard touchdown, the longest kickoff return in Grey Cup history. The third quarter ended with the Eskimos leading 20-18. Montreal quarterback Anthony Calvillo scored on a
one-yard bootleg that caught Eskimos linebacker Marcus Winn out of position. With the Alouettes leading 25-20, the Eskimos had one last chance to take the lead. Facing third-and-four in Montreal territory, Ray hit Derrell Mitchell on a deep out pattern to get a first down, and a trio of penalties left the Eskimos first-and-goal at the Alouettes' one-yard line. Ricky Ray punched it in for his second touchdown of the night, and hooked up with Jason Tucker on the two-point conversation for a 28-25 Edmonton lead with only a minute left. The Alouettes struck back with a Duval field goal as time expired, tying the game at 28-28. Montreal went first in the overtime shootout, and Calvillo passed to Dave Stala in the right corner of the endzone to give Montreal a 35-28 lead. Edmonton replied with Ray hitting Jason Tucker on an 11-yard score. In the second overtime, the Eskimos were unable to convert on second and four and kicker Fleming converted a field goal to bring the score to 38-35, with Montreal's turn in hand. The second overtime featured an unusual if illegal play. On first down, Calvillo faced a heavy Edmonton rush and tried to throw the ball away. Edmonton defensive end Joe Montford knocked the ball down at the line, but Calvillo was able to catch it. Calvillo then illegally threw the ball again into the endzone to
wide receiver Kerry Watkins who, without an Eskimo within five yards, dropped the game winning (albeit illegal) pass. The play resulted in a 10-yard penalty against the Alouettes for an illegal forward pass, putting them on the 45-yard line. On 1st and 20, Calvillo was sacked by Charles Alston for a 13-yard loss, which pushed the ball out of Duval's field goal range. An incomplete pass on second down and a long injury break set the stage for third and 33. An Eskimos blitz forced Calvillo to scramble ten yards down the left sideline. Anticipating a tackle, Calvillo kicked the ball forward in order to keep Montreal's Grey Cup hopes alive, but the ball was recovered by Eskimo linebacker A.J. Gass. The Most Valuable Player award was given to Edmonton quarterback Ricky Ray, who completed 35 of 45 passes for 359 yards and two touchdowns. The Most Valuable Canadian was Edmonton backup fullback Mike Maurer (substituting for the injured Mathieu Bertrand), who picked up 41 receiving yards on four catches.